Splitting a value

I'm saving a Global Value as a 4 digit number to represent 4 different resource values you collect when you collide with a special resource block.

The 4 digits represent a modifier to each of your 4 resources, e.g. 1221 would translate into +1 gold, +2 for blue & green and +1 purple.

When you collide with the special block, I'm adding the Global value to the resource, but taking just the appropriate digit - so on your gold counter, I need the first digit of the global value, for blue I need the 2nd digit.

How can I do this with a simple expression, and without converting to a string or use fast loops. Also this is an XNA project, so I have access to limited extensions.


edit: I tried it with a string conversion and it works okay (add to counter: Val(Mid$(Str$(Global Value), 0, 1))), but is this bad coding? Converting a value to a string, taking part of that string and reconverting to a value..? Seems a bit roundabout to me and I'm trying to avoid clogging the engine again.

I was going to say to use Val and Str$ as well, it's the simplest way and a decent expression. It can also be done with math but I would be worried about it rounding up from a decimal point and some numbers coming out wrong.

Have you considered using a global string instead? Using Str$ when appending to it and Val when retrieving?

Ah, that's a good way of taking one of the processes out, cheers.

I just made a quick and poorly done example. Is this what you're looking for?

Nice one gkinfinity - I was worried that dividing and multiplying would have rounding issues, but your method is absolutely spot on! Thanks for taking the time to make an example.

You're welcome! I'm pretty sure the decimal is completely truncated so I don't think it'll be a problem.

If that's the case then the math way is even better! I was worried that for example 1469 would come out as 1, 4, 7, 9 due to rounding up the resulting .9

You could just use a String to store the values with a delimiter... would be much easier and faster.

#1#2#2#1 (Get Element)1,2,3,4

Danny's method is handy because you can have however many digits you want per each of the 4 values, but it depends what exporters you are using, you need to make sure there is a function to "explode" the string or read it off in an extension compatible with your chosen runtime. It can be done with fast loops but then it becomes kinda inefficient.

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Originally Posted by DistantJ

If that's the case then the math way is even better! I was worried that for example 1469 would come out as 1, 4, 7, 9 due to rounding up the resulting .9

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I was as well, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get infinity's example to give a flawed reading!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Danny

You could just use a String to store the values with a delimiter... would be much easier and faster.

#1#2#2#1 (Get Element)1,2,3,4

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I was trying to avoid external extensions because I'm worried of bugs creeping in, and the more I stick to simple in-built solutions the better, but if you're suggesting it would perform quicker then I'm certainly in favour.

Actually Danny, I had another performance question - you know in my file, I've got the garage screens split into 2 - one which shows the upgrade on your toolbar, and the other which shows the price of the upgrade - I was thinking of switching the smaller box to a single active which appears & disappears (as a 'backdrop') and 4 counters for the 4 resources. This way I can grab the price data from the array, and won't have to redraw everything when I make balance tweaks.

The question is, which do you think is better for performance? Lots of active frames being loaded into the game and switched, or 4 counters per player. I would be taking over 100 images out of the game by switching to the counter method, but I assume counters are a little hungrier? (bearing in mind this is XNA)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Asholay

I was trying to avoid external extensions because I'm worried of bugs creeping in, and the more I stick to simple in-built solutions the better, but if you're suggesting it would perform quicker then I'm certainly in favour.

Actually Danny, I had another performance question - you know in my file, I've got the garage screens split into 2 - one which shows the upgrade on your toolbar, and the other which shows the price of the upgrade - I was thinking of switching the smaller box to a single active which appears & disappears (as a 'backdrop') and 4 counters for the 4 resources. This way I can grab the price data from the array, and won't have to redraw everything when I make balance tweaks.

The question is, which do you think is better for performance? Lots of active frames being loaded into the game and switched, or 4 counters per player. I would be taking over 100 images out of the game by switching to the counter method, but I assume counters are a little hungrier? (bearing in mind this is XNA)

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The counter method is certainly the best and most efficient.

Regarding the String Tokenizer this extension is an MMF2 extension by Jamie and it's ported to all available runtimes so you'll be safe using the String Tokenizer. With delimiting you'll be able to create unlimited strings with almost unlimited lengths.

I still don't have my Xbox with my atm, I'm getting it tomorrow or Monday at the latest so I'll throw the mfa over and tweak it around for you dude.

Thanks Danny - I've made lots of changes since the last file, so I'll whip a fresh one across tonight - been grouping as much as possible so no code is running unnecessarily, but I'm sure there's plenty that can be optimised further.

Excellent, apologies on the delay with this Xbox, I wasn't planning on using it again until Jan :D